Monroe County, Indiana

Severe Weather Preparedness

BE WEATHER PREPARED

Severe weather can occur in Indiana at anytime throughout the year. It's important to be weather prepared to help protect yourself, your love ones, and your property from any weather event that may come our way. Monroe County can experience several different severe weather events.

Below are some ways to help yourself be better prepared:

• Have a safe place designated where you can seek shelter in the event that a tornado occurs. A basement or cellar is an ideal shelter. However, if not available, seek the most interior room (bathroom) in your house or apartment that is away from all doors and windows. If you live in a mobile home, seek a sturdy building near you, such as a nearby building or business, ahead of the storm.
• On your way to seeking shelter, grab something that you can use to protect your face from debris (a hardcover book, blanket, pillow, etc.).
• Have several ways of receiving weather alerts and other emergency alerts. Please do not rely on only outdoor warning sirens or one alerting source for warnings.

Here are some local sources you can go to receive weather alerts:

• Be ready and prepared for power outages. Have battery-powered flashlights and other lighting sources readily available. Have a backup for your oxygen tanks or extra oxygen on hand. Have a way to keep your medications cold.
• Check on others around you in a safe manner. Help them be weather aware.
• If possible, store vehicles, outdoor equipment, and other valuables inside a shelter of some kind to help protect them from wind or hail damage. 
• If your property receives storm-related damage after a storm event, reach out to your local emergency management agency to report the damage.

Weather Radios

Contact our office for a free weather radio. Limited supply available. Batteries not included. Please be a Monroe County resident or business. 

Ready.GOV

Ready.gov is a helpful resource for families, individuals, and businesses to use to help them become better prepared for emergencies and disasters of any size. 

The website has helpful tips on what to do before, during, and after a disaster. It also offers customizable emergency plans that can be created for a household or workplace to help everyone understand what to do when a disaster occurs. These plans can help lower stress during a disaster, which could improve your decision-making and overall well-being.

Everything on this website is free and available to anyone. 

Tornado Drills

The State of Indiana conducts an annual statewide tornado drill during the month of March during National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which is sponsored by the National Weather Service. The purpose of this drill and Preparedness Week is to promote severe weather awareness and preparedness techniques for all civilians. Severe weather is a major threat to the lives and property of everyone around the world and should always be taken seriously!

In response to the statewide tornado drill, Monroe County Emergency Management will activate all of the countywide outdoor warning sirens and send out a test alert message through the Monroe County Alert System. This drill won't happen if there is any sign of inclement weather on the scheduled drill date. 

Severe Weather Safety Myths

Myth #1: Any Building is Safe During a Tornado

Manufactured buildings often can’t stand up to the wind speed and pressure, and are not safe shelters during a tornado. Hoosiers living in mobile homes or similar structures should talk to friends, family or neighbors to find a safe shelter in advance.

Permanent structures are best for shelter during a tornado, especially if they have a basement. Interior, lower level rooms away from doors and windows can be an adequate backup plan.

Myth #2: Seek Shelter in an Underpass During Tornadoes

When traveling during a tornado, an underpass is one of the worst places to take shelter. Wind speeds can increase while flowing under the structure, and serious injuries can occur. Seek shelter in a permanent structure (even better if it has a basement), or find a low-laying area and lay down flat on the ground.

Myth #3: Open Windows Prior to Tornado Strike to Equalize Pressure Inside the House to Prevent it from Exploding

Opening windows does not help equalize pressure, and spending the time cracking those windows can use up valuable seconds needed to take shelter. When an alert sounds on television, phones or all hazard radios, seek shelter right away.

Myth #4: If outside in a thunderstorm, seek shelter under a tree to stay dry.

Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors. Seek shelter right away, preferably in a building or hard top automobile. Although injuries can occur to someone in a car if lightning strikes the vehicle, being inside a hard-topped vehicle is better than outside. If no shelter is available, crouch in a low area such as a ravine or valley and stay alert for flash floods.

Myth #5: There’s No Way to Prepare for Disasters

Taking steps now can make a big difference during an emergency. Making a plan, building an emergency kit and learning about common local risks can help increase safety. Visit the Indiana Department of Homeland Security site GetPrepared.IN.gov for more information and resources for severe weather and floods.